San Francisco 49ers trade of Alex Smith 'effectively complete,' according to report

SANTA CLARA -- Alex Smith can't be traded until March 12, but a deal is "effectively complete" with an unidentified team, according to a CBS Sports report.

CBS Sports' Jason LaConfora tweeted Sunday that the 49ers "have expressed to others" that a trade is virtually in place to deal Smith. General manager Trent Baalke and coach Jim Harbaugh both said last week the 49ers would likely trade or keep Smith rather than release the quarterback they drafted first overall in 2005.

Where Smith will end up remains a mystery, although a few teams are considered logical candidates. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs, who aren't expected to use the No. 1 overall draft pick on a quarterback. New Chiefs coach Andy Reid reportedly was interested in acquiring Smith a year ago when Reid was with the Eagles. Other quarterback-needy teams are the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.

San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Alex Smith walks off the field after the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 loss against the Baltimore Raven in Super Bowl XLVII at the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 3. (Nhat V. Meyer / Mercury News)

Smith has compiled a 38-36-1 regular-season record as a 49ers starter, including a 19-5-1 mark in coach Jim Harbaugh's two seasons. After sustaining a Nov. 11 concussion, Smith lost his starting job to Colin Kaepernick, who helped guide the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII.

The 49ers are leaning against using the franchise tag on safety Dashon Goldson, according to CSN Bay Area. Goldson is seeking a multiyear deal. He would earn $7.45 million next season if designated as the 49ers' franchise player for a second straight offseason. Teams have until March 4 to assign potential free agents as their "franchise" player.

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Al Netter, an offensive lineman who spent last season on the 49ers practice squad, was arrested Wednesday in San Jose for allegedly driving under the influence, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. His is at least the fourth such arrest involving a 49ers player since 2010.